OCTOBER 22
Today reflects
a lot of dark times in the plan of redemption. In The Psalms we get Moses'
reflections of 40 years leading a dying generation through the wilderness. In
Jeremiah, Jerusalem is destroyed and the last of Israel is taken into
captivity. And then it gets worse. In 2 Timothy, we find Paul in prison in Rome
awaiting death, and I think Timothy is shaking in his sandals. It might be a
good idea to get a bowl of something sweet to eat (candy corn… pumpkin pie…) as
you read through these portions.
Jeremiah
39-41
Jeremiah 39
Vs. 1-14 This is a summary of the events. This happened just
as God said it would.
V. 11 Notice that Nebuchadnezzar knew quite a bit about
Jeremiah. There could have been a lot of sources for this information, but in
terms of his desire to be kind to Jeremiah, you only have to look at the book
of Daniel. Daniel had now been Neb's chief advisor for about 17 years.
Nebuchadnezzar had not only worshipped God twice, but he had made it a law in
his empire that Jews had complete religious liberty to worship Yahweh only.
Vs. 15-18 This is a flashback just before the Babylonians
broke into the city. God tells Ebed-melech (see chapter 38) that he will be
spared from the destruction of Jerusalem. Anyone who followed the Lord was
spared. That says something about God and about the people. You of course
noticed that Ebed-melech is the first of two very famous and honored Ethiopian
eunuchs in the Bible. Notice that Ebed actually trusted in the Lord. I think
his faith saved him.
Jeremiah 40
Vs. 1-6 We will not read this word of the Lord until
Jeremiah 42:9. All of this is historical narrative of what happened after the
Babylonians left and why the leaders and people came to Jeremiah to inquire of
God. God's judgment on the ungodly wasn't finished, and what you see in chapter
42 will either shock you or you'll just say, "I should have known that was
coming."
Apparently Jeremiah was rounded up for deportation to go
into exile. When Nebuchadnezzar told Nebuzaradan to free Jeremiah, Nebuzaradan
had to actually hunt for Jeremiah. His words to Jeremiah in vs. 2-3 show you
what the leaders of Babylon understood about what God was allowing to happen to
Jerusalem. I believe this is the influence of Daniel. God made Daniel a man
with incredible impact. We'll see that he was the godliest man on earth at that
time. The presence of such a person on earth has only happened a few times in
the history of this planet. Through Daniel God protected His people in the
Babylonian and Persian Empires, both preserving them and sending them back to
Israel. That Nebuzaradan knew all of this about God's judgment and about
Jeremiah probably means that Daniel had explained everything to Nebuchadnezzar
and the other leaders. Daniel, as a boy before he was taken into captivity,
would have known Jeremiah; and Daniel, as a prophet, would have been connected
to Jeremiah by the same Spirit. It never says that Daniel accompanied
Nebuchadnezzar on his journeys, but Daniel was his top/main/chief personal
advisor, so it is possible that Daniel was there when Zedekiah had his eyes put
out. It could also mean that Daniel actually met Jeremiah. Since Daniel was probably
from the nobility, and Zedekiah was the son of Josiah, they might have known
each other too.
Vs. 7-16 Some people suggest that it would have taken over a
year to set up a government, but Gedaliah was an experienced government leader
who came from godly stock. He would have known how to organize things. In a way
this was no different than Nebuchadnezzar installing a new king, except that he
destroyed the city and the temple, took all of the bronze and gold, and most of
the people. What was left behind would have been very easy to organize and run.
V. 12 Notice that there was plenty of blessing.
Notice v. 14.
Jeremiah 41
Vs. 1-3 Ishmael had been an Israelite captain in the army.
During the siege, many groups of Israel's army were outside of the city, probably
hiding in the surrounding countries. I don't think Ishmael was trying to take
over. I think he was sent as an assassin. The nations around Israel, including
Egypt and the Ammonites, had made a treaty to fight together against Babylon.
The reason Gedaliah had to die was that he wanted to obey God (whether he was
godly or not) and serve Nebuchadnezzar. This is why he was killed. It is like
the governments the US has set up in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their leaders become
targets for assassination because they are no longer supporting the surrounding
countries.
Vs. 4-10 This shows that Ishmael was a murdering
opportunist. These 80 men were murdered for their supplies.
V. 10 Apparently Jeremiah was alive among the prisoners who
were being taken to the Ammonites (Jordan). Poor Jeremiah. And this was
nothing. Things were about to get exponentially worse.
Vs. 11-16 Unfortunately for Ishmael, Johanan liked Gedaliah
and didn't like Ishmael. So now we have a happy ending, right? Johanan is a
hero, right? Jeremiah is finally safe, right? O Weh!
Vs. 17-18 Now we have the stage set for the Word of the Lord
mentioned in Jeremiah 40:1.
2
Timothy 1
Paul is in jail in Rome. Nero has gone officially nuts. Paul
isn't under that nice house arrest like before; instead he is sitting in a
deep, dark, dank dungeon facing death.
Vs. 1-2 If you look at a couple of Paul's normal greetings
in Ephesians and Philippians, you'll see that the first verses of 1 Timothy and
2 Timothy are different. I think that Paul is really emphasizing here that the
reason we risk our lives in this dark world is because of the promise of life
in Christ Jesus.
Vs. 3-8 Several sermons could be preached on this. This is
very tender and Paul is trying to strengthen and rouse Timothy. I think Timothy
was fearful because of the storm of persecution that had suddenly broken upon
the church by Nero. It is one thing to talk about persecution. I think Timothy
was in shock.
Vs. 8-12 Notice that this begins and ends with not being
ashamed. Notice the tight logic and connection of these words and how one
thought flows into the other, building an eternal perspective in the gospel.
Vs. 13-14 Very personal words for Timothy to keep on going
and to keep working in the harvest.
The
faith and love that are in Christ Jesus is what Paul received as a
spiritual enablement in 1 Timothy 1:14. This phrase is a good one to ponder.
V. 15 The storm that hit Paul scattered the flock.
Apparently it was a surprise and a blow to Paul that these two guys deserted
him. Timothy would have known them too. Remember, Paul had some physical
ailment and probably needed more than one person to attend him. We know from
the end of this letter that Luke was the only one who stayed with Paul. This is
the same thing that happened to the disciples the night Jesus was arrested.
This could happen to anyone, but really, if we are trained in Christ, shouldn't
we be willing to die for Him in the harvest? What was it that Jesus said about
taking up our cross daily? The cross meant death. After the initial shock, we
need to take hold of the spiritual reality of this life and fix our eyes on
Christ.
Vs. 16-18 Because of the tone of v. 18, I wonder if
Onesiphorus survived. I'm not sure and I’ve read suggestions that he died. Timothy
was later told (2 Tim. 4:19) to greet his household, but that could have just
meant his family. I think he might have survived, but, imagine if the
government was looking for Christians to lock up and you went to visit the
apostle Paul in jail. That would be like wearing a t-shirt that said,
"Hey, arrest me too!" That would be nuts, right? But Onesiphorus was
a disciple who, apparently, was nuts for Jesus.
Psalms
90-91
Wow, this is a mega reading. Psalm 90 is by Moses, but Psalm
91 is anonymous. Reading them together you wonder if Moses wrote Psalm 91 also.
Psalm 90 could be Moses' reflection on 40 years in the wilderness leading the
people, and Psalm 91 could be Moses' reflection on 120 years being led by God
on earth. Remember as you read these, that they were both songs of worship, not
just theological declarations.
Psalm 90
Vs. 1-2 God was their dwelling place in the wilderness, but
when they remembered the entire history of what had happened on earth from Adam
to Noah to Abraham, God was the dwelling place of all generations. What an
interesting thought that with all the decaying around us, God is eternal and
everlasting.
Vs. 3-4 This is the life of man on earth without God. He has
seen men come and go.
Vs. 5-6 This is the glory of man on earth without God.
Vs. 7-8 The effects of sin still ravage us. Even though we
are saved, we still struggle with sin and this decaying body.
Vs. 9-11 This is a summary of the preceding verses. Life on
earth isn't really something to die for or live for.
Vs. 12-17 And if we understand the desperate situation of
life on this planet, then there is reason to rejoice in knowing the Lord. He is
the only one who makes life of any value, who gives any lasting joy and who
will make our lives count for anything in His redemptive purpose in this life
on earth.
Psalm 91
Vs. 1-2 Notice the theme of dwelling. These are two pretty
famous verses and great declarations of our hope in the Lord.
Vs. 3-6 If this is written by Moses, this could be a
reflection on the conflict with Pharaoh. God didn't just protect Moses and
Aaron, but His wings covered millions
of people and led them out of Egypt.
Vs. 7-8 This is God's comfort to those who trust in Him.
This might be a reflection of the peoples' fear, knowing that Pharaoh was after
them, and then seeing how God saved them after passing through the Red Sea.
Vs. 9-10 Notice again the dwelling place and the freedom from the plagues. Those plagues
could have been what happened to the Egyptians. There are other things that
plague those who do not have God as their dwelling place.
Vs. 11-13 This is the promise God gives to His people. Satan
knew these verses well and used vs. 11 and 12 to try to convince Jesus to throw
Himself off the pinnacle of the temple. (Matt. 4:5-7) God will save us as He
sees fit. God was about to save Paul by taking him to heaven in 2 Timothy.
Vs. 14-16 Actually, as I read this I think of Jesus in
Isaiah 53 and as He suffered on the cross. It might be that as Satan quoted vs.
11 and 12 to Jesus, Jesus was thinking of these verses. Dwelling with God in
His presence is the best place we could ever be. What a blessing to know Him
and know His love and pleasure.
Proverbs
26:1-2
Amen.
If you’re reading along
and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these
comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in
growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see
the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting
weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make
disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we
have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused
on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to
provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of
redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us
focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in
these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others
to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making
disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
If you would like a more
descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the
Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is the
commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never
hurts.
I am not endorsing any
particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte
Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with
us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their
own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular
tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to
criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has
written to us, as I understand it. Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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